Runner's World

{{Infobox magazine

| title = Runner's World

| image_file = Runners World cover July 2011.jpg

| image_size =

| image_caption = Serena Burla on cover of the July 2011 issue

| editor = Jeff Dengate

| editor_title = Runner-in-Chief

| previous_editor = David Willey

Bob Anderson

| staff_writer =

| frequency = Quarterly

| total_circulation = 4,000,000 (1,600,000 print and 2,400,000 digital) {{cite web |url=https://www.hearstglobalsolutions.com/brands/runners-world |title= Runner's World |publisher= Hearst Global Solutions|access-date=November 12, 2024}}

| circulation_year = November 2024

| category = Health
Running
Marathons

| company =

| publisher = Hearst

| founded = 1966

| firstdate = {{start date|1996|1}}https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/g20827371/50-years-of-rw-covers/

| country = United States

| based = Easton, Pennsylvania, United States

| language = English

| website = {{URL|http://www.runnersworld.com}}

| issn = 0897-1706

}}

Runner's World is a global magazine and website for runners of all abilities. It has additionally developed experiential formats, including a digital membership program, called Runner's World+.{{Cite web |last=Barber |first=Kayleigh |date=2020-03-10 |title=In a year, Runner's World has signed up 18k to its digital membership program |url=https://digiday.com/media/year-runners-world-signed-18k-digital-membership-program/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Digiday |language=en-US}} It is published by Hearst in Easton, Pennsylvania and was formerly published by Rodale, Inc.{{Cite web |last=Kelsall |first=Christopher |date=2015-12-16 |title=Running Times closure: moving to the speed of digital media |url=https://athleticsillustrated.com/running-times-closure-moving-to-the-speed-of-digital-media/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Athletics Illustrated |language=en-CA}} Outside the United States, the magazine is published in France, Germany, Italy, Norway, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

History

Runner's World was originally launched in 1966 by Bob Anderson{{cite news|title=List of Top 10 Best Sports Magazines of All time|url=http://www.sportyghost.com/list-top-10-best-sports-magazines-time/|access-date=12 February 2016|work=Sporty Ghost|date=3 March 2015}} as a mimeographed newsletter Distance Running News, and Anderson published it by himself for several years from his home in Manhattan, Kansas. Runner and writer Hal Higdon had been writing for the magazine since the beginning (2nd edition). In 1969, Anderson changed the name of the magazine to Runner's World.{{cite web | last =Benyo | first =Richard | title =The Essential Encyclopedia of Marathoning | publisher =Marathon and Beyond | url=http://www.marathonandbeyond.com/choices/encyclop.htm|access-date =21 April 2010}} He brought on Joe Henderson as chief editor and moved the editorial offices, now named World Publications, to Mountain View, California. Runner's World thrived during the 1970s "running boom", even in the face of competition from the New York–based magazine, The Runner.

;Purchase by Rodale Press

In the early 1980s, Bob Anderson sold a good portion of his publications, including Runner's World. Some of Anderson's books went out of print while others were distributed by Macmillan Publishing.{{Cite web |last=Eder |first=Larry |date=2012-03-22 |title=Bob Anderson, founder of Runners’ World, the RBR Interview, by Larry Eder |url=https://www.runblogrun.com/2012/03/bob-anderson-founder-of-runners-world-the-rbr-interview-by-larry-eder.html |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=runblogrun |language=en-US}} Robert Rodale of Rodale, Inc., purchased Runner's World in 1985{{cite web|title=Company Timeline|url=http://www.rodaleinc.com/content/company-timeline|work=Rodale|access-date=19 August 2015}} and the editorial offices moved to Rodale's base in Emmaus, Pennsylvania. Joe Henderson did not move to Emmaus, and stepped down as editor, though he remained associated with the magazine until 2003. Random House bought the running log, which was published under the Runner's World name for decades after the sale.

In 1986, Rodale bought The Runner,[https://www.nytimes.com/1987/01/15/business/advertising-magazines-for-runners-to-merge-at-rodale.html Advertising magazines for runners to merge at Rodale], The New York Times, 15 Jan 1987 and merged the two magazines, keeping the Runner's World name and some writers, including Amby Burfoot who became the editor (a post he held until 2003).

Runner's World remained strong through the so-called "second running boom" in the late 1990s. In 2004, the magazine had a full redesign. Since then, the magazine has won several awards including being ranked No. 1 on Adweek's Hot List,{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2009-03-20 |title=Magazine Hot List 2005: Highlights |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/magazine-hot-list-2005-highlights-110859/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Adweek |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Moses |first=Lucia |date=2011-12-05 |title=Hot List: Magazines |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/hot-list-magazines-136863/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=Adweek |language=en-US}} No. 6 on Advertising Age's "A-List";{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2005-11-02 |title=Runner’s World skips onto top-10 list ** Advertising Age ranks magazines on criteria that include "buzz.’ |url=https://www.mcall.com/2005/11/02/runners-world-skips-onto-top-10-list-advertising-age-ranks-magazines-on-criteria-that-include-buzz/ |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=The Morning Call |language=en-US}} been recognized for having the "Creative Team of the Year",{{Cite web |date=February 26, 2007 |title=Rodale, owner of Runners World, Acquires Running Times |url=https://sgbonline.com/rodale-owner-of-runners-world-acquires-running-times/ |access-date=November 6, 2024 |website=SGB Media}} and most notably has been nominated three times for National Magazine Awards.{{Cite web |title=ASME ANNOUNCES 44TH ANNUAL NATIONAL MAGAZINE AWARDS FINALISTS |url=https://www.asme.media/asme-announces-44th-annual-national-magazine-awards-finalists |access-date=2024-11-07 |website=www.asme.media}}

In February 2007, Rodale acquired Running Times magazine and website and combined both brands in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Keith J. |date=2017-06-09 |title=Runner’s World gets a new editor-in-chief |url=https://nypost.com/2017/06/08/runners-world-gets-a-new-editor-in-chief/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Rodale, owner of Runners World, Acquires Running Times {{!}} SGB Media Online |url=https://sgbonline.com/rodale-owner-of-runners-world-acquires-running-times/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=sgbonline.com}}

Hearst acquired Rodale in 2018. Runner's World offices were moved from Emmaus, Pennsylvania, to Easton, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web| last = Kelly| first = Keith J.| title = Runner's World staff moving to a former bowling alley| work = New York Post| access-date = 2018-12-30| date = 2018-09-20| url = https://nypost.com/2018/09/20/runners-world-staff-moving-to-a-former-bowling-alley/}} That new office included a testing lab, called the "Test Zone," which also allow visitors to see the Runner's World and Bicycling product tests.{{Cite web |last=Wescoe |first=Stacy |date=2018-09-20 |title=Hearst to move Bicycling, Runner’s World operations to Easton |url=https://lvb.com/hearst-to-move-bicycling-runners-world-operations-to-easton/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=LVB |language=en-US}}

;Awards

In 2019, the American Society of Journalist and Authors awarded writer Michelle Hamilton's article "Saudi Women Will Run the Kingdom" with the awards for outstanding fitness & sports article. The year following, Christine Yu was awarded by the same organization for her Runner's World article "Women Deserve to Run Without Fear."{{Cite web |title=Writing Award Winners |url=https://www.asja.org/what-we-do/awards/writing-award-winners/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=American Society of Journalists and Authors |language=en-US}}

In 2021, Mitchell S. Jackson was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Feature Writing for his Runner's World article [https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a32883923/ahmaud-arbery-death-running-and-racism/ Twelve Minutes and a Life], "a deeply affecting account of the murder of Ahmaud Arbery that combined vivid writing, thorough reporting and personal experience to shed light on systemic racism in America."{{Cite web|date=2021-06-11|title=Here are the winners of the 2021 Pulitzer Prizes|url=https://www.poynter.org/business-work/2021/pulitzer-prize-winners-2021/|access-date=2021-06-11|website=Poynter|language=en-US}} The article also won a National Magazine Award and a Jenkins Medal for Excellence in Sportswriting, award by Moody College of Communication, that year.{{Cite web |title=2021: Angell and Jackson cited {{!}} Moody College of Communication |url=https://moody.utexas.edu/centers/sports-communication-media/2021-angell-and-jackson-cited |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=moody.utexas.edu |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Feature Writing 2021 |url=https://www.asme.media/feature-writing-2021 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.asme.media}}

In 2022, Wufei Yu & Will Ford's article from the November/December 2021 Issue, "172 Runners Started This Ultramarathon. 21 Of Them Never Came Back," was awarded the Excellence in Sports Reporting award by the Asian American Journalists Association, as well as the award for of Writing Best Colour Piece by Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive's (the International Sports Press Association) sports media awards.{{Cite web |title=Continental rankings unveiled: Meet the best performers in Asia |url=https://www.aipsmedia.com/pages/articles/2022/31456.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.aipsmedia.com}}{{Cite web |date=2022-07-28 |title=AAJA Announces 2022 Journalism Excellence Awards - Asian American Journalists Association |url=https://www.aaja.org/2022/07/27/aaja-announces-2022-journalism-excellence-awards/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.aaja.org |language=en-US}}

International circulation

Since the early 1990s, Runner's World has expanded outside the United States, currently with 18 international editions. The first was a United Kingdom edition wholly owned by NatMag Rodale, a joint venture between Rodale, Inc. and The Hearst Corporation in the UK. As of December 2024, there 10 international editions of Runner's World, aside from the flagship edition in the U.S.: Australia/New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and the UK. All are published either as joint ventures or through licensing arrangements with publishers in those countries. Editors in each country have access to editorial content from the U.S. edition, but also publish their own original content with local flavor.

Runners-in-Chief

Editors-in-chief at Runner's World are called Runners-in-Chief.

Bob Anderson (1966 - 1985){{Cite web |last=Eder |first=Larry |date=2012-03-22 |title=Bob Anderson, founder of Runners’ World, the RBR Interview, by Larry Eder |url=https://www.runblogrun.com/2012/03/bob-anderson-founder-of-runners-world-the-rbr-interview-by-larry-eder.html |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=runblogrun |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Simon ("Woody") |title=Made with Pride: Runner's World founder Bob Anderson Talks 5-Star… - Features |url=https://www.sneakerfreaker.com/features/running-the-world-mag-founder-bob-anderson-talks-five-star-sneakers/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=www.sneakerfreaker.com |language=en}}
Joe Henderson (1970 - 1977){{Cite web |last=Brant |first=John |date=2006-08-07 |title=A Good, Long Run |url=https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a20797835/the-history-of-runners-world/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Runner's World |language=en-US}}
Robert Rodale (1985 - 1987)
Ambrose "Amby" Burfoot (1985 - 2003){{Cite web |last=Dodson |first=Braley |date=2024-04-15 |title=77-year-old Mystic runner finishes Boston Marathon — again |url=https://www.wtnh.com/news/connecticut/new-london/77-year-old-mystic-runner-finishes-boston-marathon-again/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=WTNH.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Hamilton |first=Michelle |date=2019-04-12 |title=Running Boston with Amby: The Legend, My Training Partner |url=https://run.outsideonline.com/people/running-boston-with-amby-the-legend-my-training-partner/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=RUN {{!}} Powered by Outside |language=en-US}}
David Willey (2003 - 2017){{Cite web |last=Feller |first=Ali |date=2019-06-26 |title=Ali on the Run Show Episode 153: David Willey, Former Editor in Chief of Runner's World |url=https://aliontherunblog.com/2019/06/26/ali-on-the-run-show-153-david-willey/ |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=Ali on the Run |language=en-US}}
Betty Wong Ortiz (2017 - 2018)
Jeff Dengate (2018–Present){{Cite web |last=Reddinger |first=Robbe |date=2019-11-25 |title=Don't Train For a Marathon Like Jeff Dengate |url=https://believeintherun.com/dont-train-for-a-marathon-like-jeff-dengate/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Believe in the Run |language=en}}

Book publishing

Dagny Scott Barrios, Runner's World Complete Book of Women’s Running, 2007, {{ISBN|9781594868221|9781594867583|1594868220|1594867585}}
Amby Burfoot, Runner's world complete book of running, 2010, {{ISBN|9781605295794|1605295795}}
The great Grete Waitz, 2011, {{ISBN|9781609614652|1609614658}}
Jennifer Van Allen, Runner’s World Big Book of Marathon and Half-Marathon Training, 2012, {{ISBN|9781609619152|9781609616847|1609619153|1609616847}}
Amby Burfoot, Runner's World training journal, 2012, {{ISBN|9781609618544|1609618548}}
Scot Douglas, The runner's world complete guide to minimalism and barefoot running, 2013, {{ISBN|9781609612221|1609612221}}
Jennifer Van Allen, Runner’s World Big Book of Running for Beginners, 2014, {{ISBN|9781609615376| 9781623364755|9781635653304|1609615379}}
Bart Yasso and Erin Strout, Runner's World race everything, 2017, {{ISBN|9781623369828|1623369827}}
Meghan Kita, How to make yourself poop and 999 other tips all runners should know, 2018, {{ISBN|9781635651836|9781635651843|1635651832|1635651840}}
Bill Pierce, Scott Murr, Runner’s World Run Less Faster, 2021, {{ISBN|9780593232231|0593232232}}

Cookbooks

Joanna Sayago Golub, The Runner's world cookbook, 2013, {{ISBN|9781623361686|9781623361235}}
Heather Mayer Irvine, The Runner's World vegetarian cookbook, 2018, {{ISBN|9781635650617|1635650615}}